bookrandom Chapter 1420 This Promise, Forever Unchanged
Chapter 1420 This Promise, Forever Unchanged
He is indeed powerful, possessing wisdom and strength beyond that of ordinary people, but according to the images, this is merely the appearance presented by the "fragments of authenticity," a flower blooming from a flawed foundation.
On the other side is the "complete origin".
That means merging with the weathered, weary "self" in the image, burdened with unimaginable responsibilities. That means potentially gaining unimaginable power, complete control over the stellar network's core, understanding the ultimate secrets of the Heavenly Destiny Star Chart, and taking on a "destiny as heavy as the stars."
But what's the cost?
This "Xiao Ce" at this moment embodies his familiar self-awareness, his love for Yin Pan'er, his responsibility to the Xiao Kingdom, and his affection for his subordinates like Wang Huzi...
Will all these incredibly real things that shaped him be covered, diluted, or even... erased by that vast torrent of "original" memories?
Is he still "him"? Or will he become that weary and unfamiliar figure in the film?
"Your Majesty..."
Yin Pan'er's voice trembled slightly, and she held Xiao Ce's hand tightly, as if she was afraid that he would disappear at any moment!
“That…that image…may not be entirely true! This mechanism is unpredictable and mysterious. Who knows if this isn’t another trap? A trap to…annihilate you, to replace you?” Her intelligence allowed her to instantly grasp the core fear…the survival of the self.
Night Cat also spoke in a deep voice to Xiao Ce, saying, "Your Highness, what the Princess Consort said is absolutely right."
The origin of this object is unknown, and the image it projected is even more bizarre. The recovery chamber is fraught with unknown dangers; attempting to access it lightly could lead to unforeseen consequences!
Why not try taking control of the console first? Perhaps we can find more clues that way?
He pointed to the slowly rotating Tianyin Star Chart. A star node near the edge of the chart, flickering with an unstable red light, seemed to light up slightly, but no one noticed at the moment.
"Besides, he also said that you can control this star network hub... there's no need for us to take the risk..."
"Even Xiao Dingshan might be a fake... let alone something like this..."
Xiao Ce's gaze slowly swept over Yin Pan'er's beautiful face, which was filled with worry!
The gaze swept over the loyal and resolute eyes of the guards, including Night Owl, and finally settled on the recovery chamber shimmering with a ghostly green light.
He recalled the shock and bewilderment he felt when he first stepped into the Star Network Hub, the guidance of the Spirit Void, and even more so, the unfathomable weariness and the heavy responsibility in the eyes of "himself" in the image.
Power is within reach, and the truth is right before our eyes.
But am I... ready to disappear?
Is it about preserving the "me" of this moment, using potentially incomplete cognition and strength to explore the star map, activate signals, and gamble on an unknown future?
Or should we embrace that unknown "complete self" and take on the stellar mission that could crush everything?
A dilemma. An unprecedented dilemma...
Xiao Ce's gaze slowly swept over Yin Pan'er's beautiful face, which was filled with worry, and the vigilant and resolute expressions of Night Cat and the others. Finally, it settled on the "Source Recovery Chamber" that was emitting a faint green life aura.
The air seemed to freeze. The faint light of the star map swirled, and inside the cold, magnificent mechanical construct, only the soft breathing of the people and the low hum of the energy circuits could be heard.
The sheer volume of information and the choices concerning his very existence weighed heavily on his heart, like a heavy lead weight.
"Pan'er, night owl,"
Xiao Ce's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness as he said, "I need... some quiet. You all retreat to the entrance and wait. No one may enter without my order."
A deeper worry instantly welled up in Yin Pan'er's eyes, and her red lips parted slightly!
She hadn't seen Xiao Ce like this in a long time; in her memory, Xiao Ce had always been very decisive when faced with problems.
Even in difficult times, I have never seen him with this expression.
She wanted to persuade him again, but when she saw the complex emotions surging in Xiao Ce's deep eyes and his unwavering determination, she hesitated.
She swallowed her words.
She understood that this was a battlefield deep within his soul, one that no outsider could fight for him, not even his beloved.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Without any hesitation, Night Owl clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, his sharp eyes scanning the recovery pod and control panel once more before giving a hand signal to his elite subordinates.
Four elite warriors moved silently, like the most precise machines, protecting Yin Pan'er as they quickly retreated to the entrance of the passage, maintaining a vigilant posture, their eyes never leaving the aloof figure in the center of the hall.
Yin Pan'er gave Xiao Ce one last, deep look, her eyes filled with unspoken concern and silent support, before leaving with Ye Mao and the others...
In the vast central domed hall, only Xiao Ce remained at this moment.
The vast stars of the Heavenly Yin Star Chart silently rotated overhead, the magnificent control platform flowed with cold light, and the recovery chamber in the corner emitted an alluring yet dangerous soft light.
The words of "oneself" in that previous image echoed like a cold reverberation in the empty space...
“Fragments of the soul,” “The lingering echo of wear,” “The complete origin,” “A heavy mission”…
Xiao Ce did not doubt its authenticity.
The existence of the ethereal void and the activation of the star network mechanism—these creations that transcend time—all corroborate the truth of what the images say.
The weariness, sense of responsibility, and deep-seated familiarity in the eyes of "oneself" in that image cannot be faked.
What he was struggling with was not authenticity, but the survival of his "self".
What does it mean to become "complete" him?
At this moment, he felt deep affection for Yin Pan'er, a sense of responsibility towards the people of Xiao Kingdom, and camaraderie with his comrades-in-arms, such as Wang Huzi and Ye Mao!
Will all of these things that constitute the core of his personality "Xiao Ce" be diluted, rewritten, or even covered up in that vast torrent of memories that has gone through countless cycles of time and space?
Is that unfamiliar and weathered figure in the images still "him"?
Or was he merely a cold, ruthless executor who bore the name and responsibility of "Xiao Ce"?
Who...am I?
This most fundamental philosophical question had never been so sharply confronted before him.
His mind was in turmoil, so heavy that he could hardly breathe...
Xiao Ce simply sat cross-legged on the cool, smooth ground, right between the huge control platform and the dark green recovery chamber.
He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind and sink his consciousness into the deepest tranquility.
Strangely, in this highly technological and energy-filled core area, when he truly emptied his mind, an indescribable sense of peace enveloped him.
It wasn't just ordinary silence; it was more like a gentle solace from the vast consciousness field of the entire Star Network Hub to the fragments of his soul. His taut nerves slowly relaxed, and his heavy thoughts receded like a tide...
There was no intense internal struggle as I had anticipated, no repeated weighing of pros and cons...
Almost instantly, a deep, almost instinctive sense of exhaustion swept over him.
The past few days of travel, fierce battles, shock, and the current violent tremor at the soul level have taken a heavy toll. Now, in this absolutely safe core area!
In a state of complete mental emptiness, Xiao Ce unexpectedly and soundly fell asleep...
There are no dreams.
There are no bizarre and fantastical elements of time travel, no flashbacks of fragmented memories, and no illusions of predicting the future.
There was only pure, deep darkness, as if returning to the chaos before the birth of the universe.
His consciousness seemed to float in an endless sea of stars, gently supported and nurtured by a warm and vast power.
Time seems to have lost its meaning, and the concept of space has become blurred.
This is a thorough and profound rest, a fundamental restoration of his body and spirit that bear the "fragments of his soul".
I don't know how much time passed, maybe a quarter of an hour, maybe an hour...
Xiao Ce's eyelashes trembled slightly.
Then he slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, it seemed as if a tangible ray of light swept across his eyes.
An unprecedented sense of clarity filled his senses.
There was no longer the low hum of energy in my ears, only a near-vacuum of purity!
Everything before my eyes!
A rotating star map, flowing energy patterns, cold, smooth metal walls, and a ghostly green recovery chamber...
Everything became incredibly clear, with every detail visible, and the richness of color was astonishing!
He could even "see" the subtle patterns of air movement.
My mind was clear and bright. The chaotic thoughts, heavy entanglements, and deep-seated worries that had been previously stirred up disappeared without a trace, as if washed away by an invisible storm.
This is incredible!
The question that troubled him was, "Who am I?"
The answer came the moment I woke up.
The answer was so simple, so obvious, that all his previous struggles seemed... naive and ridiculous, just needless worry.
He is Xiao Ce.
It was true in the past, it is true now, and it will inevitably be true in the future.
The presence in the image, that weathered "echo," is a tributary in the long river of his soul that has been separated and has been worn down too much.
His existence at this moment is the main trunk, the source, the "authentic seed" that the "reverberation" was determined to preserve and spread at all costs.
Integration is not annihilation, but a return. It is about finding back that part of oneself that was lost in the turbulent flow of time and space!
Like all rivers flowing into the sea, like a traveler returning home.
Those emotions and bonds that you fear losing?
They are an important part of his "authenticity," the most precious nourishment in the process of this seed breaking through the soil and growing into a towering tree.
Integration is not about covering up, but about complementing.
A more complete version of himself will only possess greater power to protect everything he cherishes...
Yin Pan'er's smile, the peace of Xiao Kingdom, and the loyalty of her followers.
A fragment of a soul, facing a cunning old fox like Xiao Dingshan, the potential threat of a mysterious technological civilization (interstellar hyenas), and even the incredibly heavy "mission" indicated by the Tianyin Star Chart, is simply like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!
Only when power is more complete can it become stronger, control the overall situation, and protect what it wants to protect!
This is the core purpose behind "himself in the past" designing all of this!
suddenly see the light!
Xiao Ce suddenly stood up, his movements fluid and powerful. There was no longer any confusion or hesitation in the depths of his eyes, only a rock-solid determination and a clear understanding of everything.
He no longer needed to weigh the options, no longer needed to agonize over it. The answer had always been there; he had simply been blinded by worry.
At this moment, the clouds have parted and the sun is shining!
"Pan'er! Night owl!"
Xiao Ce's voice pierced through the quiet hall, steady and powerful, carrying an undeniable determination.
A figure immediately appeared at the entrance of the passage.
Yin Pan'er and Ye Mao quickly returned to the hall, their eyes immediately falling on Xiao Ce. Yin Pan'er keenly noticed the change in her husband's demeanor...
That heavy, conflicted feeling had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and confidence, as if a heavy shackle had been removed, and his eyes were as sharp as a drawn weapon.
"Your Majesty?"
Yin Pan'er stepped forward quickly, still unable to hide her worry, and said, "You...you've made up your mind?"
"Your Highness, please reconsider!"
Night Owl also gave a low warning, his eyes scanning the recovery pod warily.
That eerie green light still held unknown risks in his eyes.
Xiao Ce looked at them, a confident yet reassuring smile curving his lips. He reached out and gently grasped Yin Pan'er's slightly cool hand, conveying his strength...
“Pan’er, night owl, don’t worry. I’ve figured it out.”
His voice was calm and resolute as he continued, “This is neither a trap nor a replacement.”
The video is entirely true.
He is the past me, a me who has been worn down and exhausted.
And I am the true self that he painstakingly preserved and sowed here.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the magnificent control panel and the vast star map...
Finally, it landed on the dark green recovery chamber, its eyes burning as it said, "We are truly one."
This separation is merely an inevitability brought about by time, space, and mission.
Integration is an inevitable return, a completeness of power.
What you are worried about is that the 'I' in this moment will disappear and your emotions will be extinguished.
But I want to tell you, no!
Xiao Ce spoke to them with unwavering resolve.
This statement, seemingly echoing theirs, is actually a statement he made to himself...
"The love I have for you, the responsibility I have for my country, and the brotherhood I have for my brothers are the foundation of my existence and the most brilliant light in my soul!"
Integration will only make this light shine brighter and strengthen my will!
Only a more complete soul can fully master the power of the Star Network's core, can comprehend the ultimate secrets guided by this star map, and can...
His gaze became incredibly profound, as if piercing through the dome and looking into the unknown depths of the universe!
Only then can we shoulder that mission as heavy as the stars, fight against Xiao Dingshan's hidden conspiracy, and face those "interstellar hyenas" who covet this place!
Otherwise, with only fragments remaining, we will ultimately be powerless to reverse the situation, and everything we cherish will be destroyed!
He looked at Yin Pan'er, his eyes gentle yet firm, and said as he took her hand, "Pan'er, believe me. I am still me."
I promised to watch the Milky Way with you, and that promise will never change!